Transforming Lives

We meet the needs of students who would traditionally struggle in mainstream education. 

This can be for a myriad of reasons:

• behavioural challenges
• social and emotional
• learning difficulties

Our small class sizes (no larger than 8) and intensive in-class support allow students' needs to be met academically. 

In addition, we provide a range of therapeutic interventions to support the whole child:

• Speech and Language
• Music Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Educational Psychology

As well as an extensive range of extracurricular activities which promote the development of the whole child.

Our extracurricular clubs include:

• Cookery
• Art
• Non-contact boxing
• Basketball
• E-sports

The overall aim of the school is to ensure that whilst we may be a small school, the student’s experience is as close to mainstream as possible. 

Whilst every one of our pupils is an individual with their own specific interests and needs, what links them all is their potential to achieve well and lead happy, successful adult lives.

We strongly believe in the power of education to transform lives and, as such, we provide our pupils with an engaging, challenging and rewarding education.  We operate like a mini-mainstream school and seek to provide pupils with the same breadth of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom as any mainstream school.  All our teachers hold qualified teacher status and every effort is made to offer a wide range of subjects.

At the heart of our approach is a focus on the individual and doing what is in the best interests of each pupil.  This means:

• Offering a broad curriculum of academic and vocational subjects enhanced by educational visits, external speakers and partnerships with local schools and community groups;
• Creating a bespoke plan for each pupil so any gaps in their education can be addressed and they can continue the GCSE courses they have already begun;
• Keeping classes to eight pupils or fewer and with two members of staff;
• Encouraging families to be active partners in their children’s education;
• Nurturing key life skills such as confidence, self-esteem and ambition as well as the ability to co-operate, listen and interact positively with peers.

We have the very highest aspirations for our pupils and are constantly impressed at how much they achieve during their time with us.

‘When pupils join Westside, a dramatic shift starts to happen.  Most rediscover their love for learning and find their own identity.’

Ofsted, October 2019